Boating Knowledge Base

Have a sailing question? Access NauticEd’s sailing and boating knowledge base, and gain in-depth answers to your sailing questions. If you’re interested in powerboating, visit our new powerboating blog.

Sailboat Diesel Engine Fluids

Diesel engines make use of a variety of fluids, including raw and coolant water, diesel fuel, and lubricating oil. A problem in the flow of any one of these fluids can cause problems...
October 22, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Antique log-line and bucket display, used in traditional navigation for measuring a ship’s speed at sea.

Navigation Units

Sailors are forever measuring stuff. This brings us to the subject of navigation units. As we all remember from the good ol’ school days, measurement is the process of comparing something with an established standard.
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram comparing rudder positions: in front of propeller (left) vs behind propeller (right) with steering effects.

Advanced Catamaran Maneuvering – Using the Rudders

There are some other cool things you can do when you consider the propeller thrust over a Catamaran's rudders.
May 9, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Boat throttle control diagram showing forward, neutral, and reverse positions to increase RPM.

Sailboat Gear and Throttle Controls

Sailboats, and boats in general, use their gears and throttle to control momentum. It’s unlike driving a car in that you have no brake! Instead, you use your forward and reverse gears and throttle to both increase and decrease speed...
May 22, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Sailor in a red jacket braving rough seas, harnessed on a wet deck with splashing waves, focused on handling the sail.

Sailing Safety Equipment

There is a plethora of equipment specially designed for a variety of emergencies at sea. Some are inexpensive...
October 16, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Large cargo ship in open water with humorous text on the bow reading, If you can read this, say goodbye to your mommy.

Action to Avoid Collision

When you reach the section on who is responsible to give way to whom - in certain circumstances...
August 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram illustrating air flow and force on a sail from NauticEd, a leading sailing education course provider.

Understanding How Airflow Creates Lift

Understanding how Airflow creates lift and the need for smooth airflow when sailing...
August 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Close-up of a sailboat cockpit with winch, steering wheel, and navigation instruments under a clear blue sky.

Starting the Engine – Getting Familiar with a Charter Boat

Regarding the starting procedure, we’re assuming that since you’re actually commanding a sailboat you pretty much know how to turn the key and all the other safety precautions.
April 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Diagram showing a navigational leadline marked with depth in feet from 10' to 50' and angles from 32 to 33 degrees.

Know Your Chart!

Always familiarize yourself with any chart before using it for navigation and plotting of positions; there are significant differences between charts that could lead to mistakes.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen

NED Sailing Simulator

Before you play with NED, the sailing simulator, read this first. The graphic below is representative of a real wind meter on...
August 9, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sleek yacht interior featuring a shiny stainless steel stove and oven set within polished wooden cabinetry.

Galley Stove on a Charter Boat

The vast majority of vessels in charter fleets are equipped with propane-burning galley stoves. 
April 7, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Sailboat Balance

Below is an animation that shows the balance of forces: actually it is technically the balance of a concept called “moments.”
October 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Map showing tanker ship positions and details, including Marida Patea, with color-coded directional arrows.

Risk of Collision when Sailing

The Rule of Risk of Collision is that every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances...
August 26, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Comparison of lifejacket and buoyancy vest, illustrating flotation differences in water safety gear.

Types of PFDs

Types of PDF's Here is a graphical explanation between a lifejacket and a buoyancy vest. PFD Type ratings are being phased out...
October 18, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Red fire blanket case with safety instructions and pull tapes, designed for emergency fire control and safety preparedness.

Fire on a Sailboat

Putting out fires quickly is essential. The sooner you find the source the quicker the fire can be extinguished.
October 21, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Two sailboats on open sea with an arrow pointing from the red-hulled boat to the blue-hulled boat under a clear sky.

Terms Port – Starboard – Forward – Aft

In discussing sail trim, certain terminologies must be understood and so we are presenting a few basics to get you started
August 4, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Vessels in Restricted Visibility

What is the safe speed at night, in fog? As safe as it needs to be under good seamanship.
August 28, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of a marine propulsion system with inline shaft alternator and propeller, enhancing ship energy efficiency.

Spinning Propeller

As you sail along, the water flowing over your propeller will cause it to spin. Some sailboats are fitted with a special alternator that will create electricity...
October 13, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Crew Briefing Video

It is important to know how much experience your crew has before you embark on any sailing adventure. For our boat, we created a video walkaround introduction to the boat covering safety items and also just general items on how we want our boat looked after.
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat engine cooling system diagram showing fluid flow through heat exchanger and pumps.

Diesel Raw-Water System

Raw-water means that the water is straight from outside the boat. It might be seawater - it might be
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Action by a Give-Way Vessel

The Nav Rule Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall...
August 23, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Man showing fish to child and another person on a boat, enjoying a sunny day at sea.

Fishing on a Charter

Bring a fishing rod and reel with a 20 lb break strength line. Even if you’re not typically a fisher, few things in life are better than catching a fish for your crew, cooking it, and serving it that evening. It will increase your hero status.
April 7, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Group of people planning a sailing route with a map and notes in a cozy room, discussing navigation strategies.

The Nautical Chart

Safely maneuvering a vessel while using positions derived from various coastal and near coastal sources is called coastal navigation.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat anchored in serene blue water near rocky coast, ideal for sailing adventures and peaceful escapes.

Anchoring

Anchoring is not simply throwing a “hook” and letting out a line. However, after watching some sailors, this seems to be their theory. Successful anchoring requires a plan considering all the factors.
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024